Indian science minister visits Cambridge

Academics, UK government officials and local business leaders joined the delegation to discuss the city’s success in innovation and commerce.

The event was part of a four-day visit designed to showcase existing Indo-UK partnerships and develop new ones by bringing together scientists, innovators and industrialists from the two countries.

Cambridge is already recognised as a hive of entrepreneurial activity, especially in the hi-tech sector. There are an estimated 250 start-up companies with direct links to the University of Cambridge, many of which are technology leaders in their respective fields.

Kamlesh Sharma, the Indian High Commissioner, is a Cambridge graduate and a great supporter of the work being done by the Centre for Entrepreneurial Learning (CfEL) and the University in fostering entrepreneurship.

“We can learn from the Cambridge experience,” he said, “and build relationships for the mutual benefit of the science and innovation industries in both our countries.”

“The Indian Government is also seeking to establish better links with the University of Cambridge and the Judge Business School so we’re delighted to take this opportunity to meet with senior academics and colleagues.”

The University of Cambridge academics included Dr Kate Pretty, Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Professor Mark Welland of the Nanoscience Centre and Professor Bill Milne of the Centre for Advanced Photonics and Electronics.

“We were very pleased to be hosting this visit for our distinguished guests from India,” said Dr Kate Pretty. “The University of Cambridge has a great tradition of fostering entrepreneurship and establishing spin-out companies to exploit and spread the benefits of new knowledge and innovation.”

The visit, which took place on 28 June, was organised by the Indian High Commission in collaboration with the Judge Business School and hosted by Dr Shai Vyakarnam, Director of the CfEL.